The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-07-14
THE GREAT CRAW FISH!
Mr.. CLEVELAND AGAIN DOES THE
BACK S0MERSAULT ACT!

The humiliating spectacle present.
ed before the country by the conduct
Of the Democratic President In at
tempting to restore to the Solid South
the flags captured in battle during the
war, was in itself most humiliating to
the country. The square back-down,
and virtual admission of both ignor
ance and duplicity on the part of the
President, was most humiliating to
him. But the next chapter in the
great National farce is out, and is
more humiliatlng and disgusting than
anything preceding it.
Early in the Spring Committee of
citizens of St Louis, headed by the
Mayor, formally invited Mr.. Cleve-
land to attend the National Encamp-
ment G.. A. r. to be held from the
9th to the Both of September. After
ward number of St. Louis citizens
called at the White House and urged
the acceptance of the invitation, when
the President expressed an intention
to be at the Encampment. Since the
terrible Indignation aroused by his
miserable attempt to steal the battle
flags and return them to the South,
he has been thinking the matter over
seriously, and has come to the conclu-
sion that he ought to be kicked-and
this aroused fear that the old veter-
ans might be induced to kick him.
Then he wrote informally as follows
to St. Louis citizens:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887.
Hon. David R. Francis, Mayor and Chairman:
My DEAR SIR-When J. received
the extremely cordial and gratifying
invitation from the citizens Of st.
Louis, rendered by number of her
representative men, to visit that city
during the National Encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic, [
had been contemplating for some time
the acceptance Of an invitation from
that organization to the same effect,
and had considered the pleasure it
would afford me if it should be posi-
BILE to meet not only members Of the
Grand Army, but the people of st.
Louis, and other cities in the West
which the occasion would give me an
opportunity to visit. The exactions
Of my public duties [ felt to be so un-
certain, however, that when confront
ed by the delegation Of which you
were the head, I expected to do no
more at that time than to promise the
consideration Of the double invitation
rendered me, and express the pleasure
it would give me to accept the same
thereafter, if possible. But the cor
diality and sincerity of your presenta-
tion, reinforced by the heartiness OF
the people who surrounded you, so
impressed me that | could not resist
the feeling which prompted me to as
sure you on the spot that l would be
with you and the Grand Army of the
Republic at the time designated, if
nothing happened il the meantime to
absolutely prevent my leaving Wash
lDgton.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement of this conclusion, ex-
pressions emanating from certain i'm
portant members of the Grand Army
of the Republic and increasing in vol
ume and virulence, constrained me to
review my acceptance OF these invita-
tions. The expressions referred to go
to the extent Of declaring that [ would
be an unwelcome guest at the time
and place Of the national encampment.
This statement is based, as well as
can Judge. upon certain official acts OF
niue, involving important public in
terests. done under the restraints and
obligations of my oath Of Office, which
do not appear to accord with the
wishes of some members of the Grand
Army of the Republic | refuse to
believe that this organization, found
ed upon patriotic ideas, composed very
largely of men entitled to lasting hon
or and consideration, and whose crown
ing glory it should be that they are
American citizens as well as veteran
soldiers, deems it a part OF its mission
to compass any object Or purpose by
attempting to intimidate the Execu-
tive or coerce those charged with MAX
ing and executing the laws. And yet
the expressions to which | have re-
ferred indicate such a prevalence Of
unfriendly feeling and such menace
to an occasion which should be har-
monious, peaceful and cordial, that
they cannot be ignored. | beg you
to understand that [ am not conscious
Of any act of mine which should make
me fear to meet the Grand Army of
the Republic, or any other assemblage
Of my fellow citizens. The account
of my official stewardship is always
ready for presentation to my country
men. [ should not be frank if |
failed to confess, while disclaiming all
resentment, that | have been hurt by
the unworthy and wanton attacks up
on me growing out of this matter,
and the reckless manner in which my
actions and motives have been mis-
represented, both publicly and pri.
vately, for which, however, the Grand
Army Of the Republic, as body, is
by no means responsible.
The threats Of personal violence
and harm in case [ undertake the trip
in question, which scores Of misguid-
ed, unbalanced men under the stimu,
ulation Of excited feeling have made
are not even considered. Rather than
abandon my visit to the West anc
disappoint your citizens, I might, if
alone were concerned, submit to the
insult to which it is quite openly as
serted would be helplessly subjected
if present at the encampment: but
should bear with me there the people!
highest Office, the dignity of which
must protect; and [ believe that neith
7 er the Grand Army Of the Republic a
\ an organization, nor anything like
majority of its members, would eve
encourage any scandoulas attack upol
it. If, however among the member